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Edmond resident is among 40 people arrested in student visa violations

Federal immigration agents arrested an Edmond resident and 39 other people during a 12-day student-visa enforcement operation. They will now go before a federal immigration judge to determine the question of deportation.

An Edmond resident was the only Oklahoman arrested with 39 other people during a 12-day student-visa enforcement operation by federal immigration agents.

The 25-year-old man was arrested at an Edmond residence during the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations operation that ended Friday. Carl Rusnok, ICE spokesman, said he couldn't identify the man or give details about the Edmond arrest.

Those arrested were from 17 countries with 15 people coming from Kenya and four from Nigeria. They included immigration status violators, visa overstays and foreign students.

“The 911 tragedy identified how critically important it is for us to screen, track and enforce the student visa program in the United States,” said David M. Marwell, Homeland Security Investigations special agent in charge in Dallas. “Maintaining the integrity of the student visa program is a significant segment of maintaining national security.”